Via Delle Campora, Florence, Italy

The main home on this multi acre parcel of land was built in the mid 1600′s and the secondary structure, remodeled into the home in these images, was constructed in the same period.  One of the exterior walls of the main house is a form born from the shape of the narrow street to the west.  Situated between Porta Romana and Piazzale Michelangelo Via Delle Campora is a via only wide enough for one car, lined with two and three meter dilapidated stucco walls and grand wrought Iron gates.  The iron gates present the passerby with glimpses of the opulent villas and gardens that are typical of this prestigious area.  The modest villa restored in these photos was the hay loft that belonged to the main villa therefore it has a unique character to it that most of the other estates in the area do not offer.  The hayloft had been converted into an apartment and rented for decades.  A bird house for Doves was set near the top of the southern exterior wall, hence the name “La Colombaia”, the Dove House.